Tape perforator



June 25, 1935. LARSON 2,005,748

TAPE PERFORATOR Filed July 1, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet l F/Go! F, M l a 4 n aK w 1 1 M5 4 1: M3 I! 9 46 mV- I 48 :1 /25 in? 72 /24 I73 :1 l7 I55 T;{E

E4 l6/ I57 ATTORN June 25, 1935. E. s. LARSON 20@5,748

TAPE PERFORATOH Filed July 1, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J 2 F7 6; S- 24INVENTOR EDWAPOJTQNLEVL4250/V /.2 A3 ATTORN June 25, 1935. E. s. LARSON2,005,748

TAPE PERFORATOR Filed July 1, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 60144420JTO/VL [V 14250 ATTORN June 25, 193*. E. s. LARSON TAPE PERFORATOR FiledJuly 1 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATES TAPEPERFORATOR Edward Stanley Larson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to TeletypeCorporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application July1, 1933, Serial No. 678,587

15 Claims.

The present invention relates to signalling apparatus and especially toprinting telegraph signal controlled mechanisms for producing perforatedtape.

The salient object of the present invention is to provide a perforatingmechanism arranged with groups of punches which may be operated eitherindependently of or conjointly with each other.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a perforatingmechanism including feed and signal punches whereby under predeterminedconditions the feed punch will be operated and the signal punches willbe ineffective to perforate the tape.

According to a feature of the invention, the perforating mechanism whichincludes feed and signal punches operative in response to selectiveconditions is arranged with means responsive to a cessation of selectiveconditions for advancing the tape a predetermined amount, during whichthe signal punches are not operated, regardless of the previousselective conditions.

To achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention contemplates theembodiment in a signal controlled perforating apparatus of the typedisclosed in United States Patent No. 1,884,743, issued October 25, 1932to E. E. Kleinschmidt, of a power driven mechanism responsive upon acessation of code signals for operating an auxiliary mechanism. toadvance automatically through the perforating apparatus a predeterminedlength of tape which allows immediately thereafter, the transmission ofimpulses represented by the code perforations therein, andsimultaneously to operate, during this procedure, the feed-hole punchindependently of the signal-hole punches. Briefly, the apparatusembodying the present invention includes a single magnet selectormechanism responsive to received code combinations of signal impulsesand adapted to control permutably a plurality of punch interferencemembers of a perforating mechanism, and a mechanism including a worm andfollower lever cooperatively related therewith responsive upon thecessation of reception of code signal impulses to control a secondary orauxiliary mechanism for spacing out a predetermined length of tape so asto preclude a condition wherein the portion of the message recorded inthe tape between the punch block of the perforator and the pin block orsens- According to the present invention the punch operating members ofthe perforating device are so designed as to render the feed-hole punchoperating mechanism operable under certain predetermined conditionsindependently of the code signal-hole punches; and under normalconditions the feed-hole punch is operative conjointly with thesignal-hole punches.

A better understanding of the present invention will be had from thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the following drawings,wherein,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of the mechanismillustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the release mechanism of the selectordevice;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tape spaceout mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of part of the punch operating mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating the cooperative relationship between theselecting cam drum and the operation initiating levers of theperforating and space-out mechanisms;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1,and

Fig. 9 is a plan sectional view taken on line 99 of Fig. 8.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate the same partthroughout the several views, the present invention is shown in thespecific embodiment herein described in connection with a single magnetreperforator substantially as disclosed in the aforementioned patent. Asshown in Figs. 1 and 2, the mechanism is controlled by a single magnetII which may be of any well-known construction. As shown more clearly inFig. 2, the magnet H is secured to a bracket l2 which in turn is securedto the frame I3 of the apparatus. The magnet II is provided with anarmature I4 fixed to the U-shaped end of a selector lever l5. which ispivoted at IE to a bracket I! (more clearly shown in Fig. 1) adjustablycarried on the frame l3. A spring I8 has one of its ends secured tothearmature I4 and its other end to an adjusting screw l9, urging thearmature l4 into engagement with a nut 20 on stop screw 2| (Fig. 1)mounted on bracket I'l. When the magnet II is energized, the armature I4is held against the flange of a nut 22, carried on screw 2|, which withnut 20 provides an adjustable limiting means for the movemen. ofarmature l4. s

The free end of the lever I5 is T-shaped and is provided with a pair oflaterally extending arms or abutments 23 and 24, which cooperate withlaterally projecting arms 25 and 26 of swords 21 to position the lattereither in their right or lefthand position, as will presently appear.

The swords 21, of which there are six in the present instance, are flatmembers separated by thin guide plates 28 (Fig. 1) which serve to keepthe swords 21 in alignment and are mounted on studs 29 fixed to theframe l3 and spaced from each other by washers 3|. Each sword 21 isprovided with a knife edge 32 which engages a rockable T-lever 33pivoted on a shaft 34 and comprised of three arms 35, 36, and 31, thelatter one of which is rounded (as shown in Fig. 2) and engages thebifurcated end of a lever 38, a corresponding series of which arepivoted on a shaft 39.

Each of the levers 38 is tapered at its extremity for cooperation with aknife edge 4| on a universal bail 42 which is pivoted at 43. The levers38 are adapted to be locked in either their clockwise orcounterclockwise positions, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2,between the knife edge 4| and a limiting stop 44 operative in anenlarged hole in each of the levers 38. Pivotally connected to eachlever 38 at 45 is a punch interference member 46, the extremity of eachof which is slidably carried in slots provided in a comb member 41integrally formed on a cradle 48 which is pivotally carried on a pair ofstuds 49 and 5|. Each of the interference members 46 is provided with anenlargement at its extremity, the purpose of which is, as is commonlyknown, to cooperate with an associated punch 52, the enlarged portionbeing adapted to be slid into or out of cooperative engagement with itsassociated punch 52, depending upon the position of its associated lever38. A rod 58 (Figs. 3 and 6) is disposed over the interference members46 and is provided to guide the members 46 and to prevent independentupward movement thereof.

The reciprocation of punch interference members 46 to either theiroperative or non-operative positions is effected by the action of swords21 upon the rockable T-levers 33 in the following manner. Referring toFig. 2, the swords 21 are shown as pivotally articulated to associatedselector members 55 by a ball and socket connection 56. Each selectormember 55 normally tends to rotate in a clockwise direction about commonpivot 54 under the influence of its individual spring 51, thus tendingto move its associated sword 21 into engagement with either arm 35 or 36of T-lever 33. Each selector member 55 is provided with a cam followerarm 58 which is adapted to coact with a cam projection 59 carried on aselecting cam member 6| which is rotatably mounted on a main operatingshaft 62. The several cam projections 59 correspond in number to theselector members 55, and are arranged in a helical series about theselecting cam member 6| so that upon the cyclic rotation of the cammember the selector members 55 will be actuated successively. Anadditional cam projection 68 (Fig. 8) is provided to coact with arelease lever I56, as will hereinafter appear. When the selector member55 is moved in a counterclockwise direction by a cam 59 against thetension of spring 51, the sword 21 associated therewith will be carrieddownwardly (as viewed in Fig. 2) so that abutments 25 and 26 willcooperate with either one or the other of their respective companionabutments 23 and 24, depending upon whether the selector lever l5, dueto the energization or deenergization of selector magnet II, is in itsclockwise or counterclockwise positon. For example, if the selectormagnet II is energized, the selector lever |5 will assume itscounterclockwise position, as shown in Fig. 2, against the normaltendency of spring I8, and when the sword 21 is thus reciprocated by theaforementioned coaction between cam 59 and follower 58 the abutment 25will coact with abutment 23, thus causing the sword 21 to rotateslightly in a clockwise direction so that when cam 59 has passed thefollower 58 the spring 51 will effect a. slight clockwise rotation oflever 55 to carry in turn sword 2 upwardly so that its knife edge 32cooperates with arm 35 of T-lever 33. On the other hand, if the selectormagnet H is deenergized, selector lever l5 will be biased to itsclockwise position so that upon actuation of lever 55, as previouslydescribed, abutment 26 will coact with abutment 28 to cause a slightcounterclockwise rotation of sword 21, whereupon knife edge 32 will bebrought into cooperation with arm 36 of T-lever 33. The degree ofoscillating motion of swords 21 is limited by a pair of stops 63.

Having reference to Fig. 8, the selecting cam member 6| is shown freelymounted on shaft 62 and frictionally connected thereto by means offriction discs 64 and 65 disposed between flanges 66 and 61 andcooperating flanges integrally formed with the selecting cam member 6|,the frictional connection being rendered effective by a helical spring68. Constant rotation is imparted to shaft 62 through a worm gear 68affixed thereto, and a pinion 1| secured to the shaft of a motor 12.Shaft 62 is carried in anti-friction bearings 13 and 14 mounted in theframe I3.

The cam member 8| is held against rotation by the cooperation of a stoparm 16 with a latch mechanism, shown in Fig. 4, controlled by arm 18 ofarmature lever l5 through a plunger 11 (Figs. 1 and 4). Thus, upon thedeenergization of magnet selector lever |5 will be biased slightlyclockwise by its spring I 8 so that the eccentric screw on arm 18 willfunction to urge plunger 11 rightwardly to rotate bell crank 68 in acounterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 4) whereby latch 18 iscaused to rotate in an opposite direction against the tendency of aspring 19 to effect its disengagement from stop gate 88. Stop gate 88 isnormally held against a stop pin 89 by a spring 98, but since the torqueconstantly applied to the cam member 6|, and hence to stop arm 16, is ofgreater force than that exerted by spring 98, the holding effect of stopgate 88 on arm 16 is overcome and cam member 6| permitted to rotate; theaction of arm 16 on gate 88 being to rotate gate 88 a certain angularamount against the action of its spring 98 until the disengagement ofarm 16 from gate 88 occurs, whereupon gate 88 will be returned to itsposition against stop 89 by spring 98.

During the last portion of the revolution of arm 16, the selector magnetbecomes energized by the stop impulse of a received code combination ofimpulses under which condition latch 18 will be engaged with gate 88 toprevent the rotation of said gate when arm 16 strikes arm 91 thereof.The abeyance of arm 16, and hence cam member 6|, will prevail until astart or nocurrent impulse is received to effect the deenergization ofmagnet II and the consequent operation of plunger 11, as just described.The magnet is normally energized during the stop or idle period of theperforating apparatus so that, when a start impulse is received, the cammember 6| will be thus released'for one cyclic operation. The stop gate80 and latch 10 are mounted on a plate 40 (Fig. 1) of an orientationdevice 50, said plate 40 being attached to an adjustment arm 53 whichcan be rotated about the axis of shaft 62 to change the stop position ofarm 16, as set forth in the aforementioned patent.

Also mounted on the shaft 62 (Figs. 5 and 8) is a flanged sleeve member8| to which is secured the operating cam 82 for the signal-hole punches52. Sleeve 8| has a slidable connection with a flanged member 83, ahelical spring 84 being interposed between members 8|. and 83. Thetension of spring 84 tends to create through a disc of friction material85 a frictional connection between member 83 and gear 69. Slidablycarried on sleeve member 8| is a bushing 86 which forms the drivenmember of a grab clutch 81, the driving member 88 of which is keyed tothe shaft 62. By this construction a combination friction and grabclutch is provided whereby the cam 82 is actuated during the initial andfinal periods of its rotation by the friction means 85 and during itseffective or intermediate period of operation by the grab or toothclutch 81. The driven portion of the grab clutch is urged, during itsoperative period, into mesh with the driving portion 88 by a helicalcompression spring 9|. This tendency, however, is counteracted by a stoplever 92 (Figs. 5 and 8) which coacts with a cam formed on the side offlange 93 integral with bushing 86 of clutch 81. Lever 92, which ispivoted at 94, is normally urged into cooperative relation with the camformed on the flange 93 by its spring 95. Lever 92 is provided with anarm 96 (Fig. 7) which cooperates with one of the helical series of camson the selecting cam member 6| in such manner that, at a predeterminedpoint in the cycle of rotation or operation of the selector cam member6|, the cam portion 91 will coact with arm 96 to rotate lever 92 againstthe action of its spring 95 to disengage lever 92 from the clutch member86, permitting the cooperative engagement of members 86 and 88 of clutch81 and the ensuing single cyclic rotation of said clutch in thefollowing manner. When lever 92 is disengaged from bushing 86, themember 86 isactuated towardthe right into mesh with the driving member88. However, immedi: ately upon the disengagement of lever, 92 therotation of bushing 88 is initiated through the instrumentality offriction means 85 to move the cam portion on flange 93 out of range ofthe follower portion'of lever 92. Simultaneously with this movement themeshing of members 86 and 88 will be'effected due to the distendingaction of spring 9| to render the positive clutch 81 effective. Duringthe single cycle of rotation of clutch 81, the lever 92 will be restoredto its operative position with respect to member 85 by spring 95preparatory to coacting again with the cam portion on flange 93, whichoccurs during the final period of rotation of clutch 81, at which timethe power communicated through friction clutch means 85 will effectthrough the oamming action of the cam on flange 93 and the follower onlever 92 the disengagement of members 86 and 88. p

,Cam 82 coacts with a follower roller 98 (Fig. 5),. carried at theextremity of one arm of a punch operating bell crank lever 99 which isfreely mounted. on a shaft IOI suitably carried in the frame I3 (Figs. 5and 8).- As clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the lever 99 is providedwith an arm I02 at the extremity of which is pivotally articulated anadjustable strut I03 which functions to actuate the cradle 48 pivotallyabout pivots 49 and 5| (Fig. 2).

Referring again to Figs. 5 and 8, it is noted that the gear 69 iscarried on a flanged sleeve I05, affixed to shaft 62, which forms thedriving portion of a grab clutch I06, the driven portion I01 of which isnormally held out of mesh with the driving portion I05 by a fixed camfollower I08 adapted. to coact with a cam portion formed on the side offlange I09 integral with clutch portion I01. The clutch portion I01 ismaintained out of meshing engagement with driving portion I05 by the camfollower I08 against the action of a compression spring III and has aslidable connection with a cam member II2 so that cam II2 rotates withthe clutch member I01. Frictionally associated with cam H2 is a frictionclutch assembly I I3 comprising a flanged sleeve member II4 on which iscarried a stop disc II5 interposed between a pair of washers H6 and H1of friction material. A slit annular spring member I I8 is provided toimpart a compressive action to the friction clutch, the pressure ofwhich is adjusted by means of a nut H9 and a locknut I2I. A washer ordisc I20 of friction material is interposed between the clutch assemblyH3 and cam H2 and by virtue of the pressure exerted by spring III, camH2 is thus frictionallyconnected to drive shaft 62, whereby, togetherwith positive clutch I06, cam H2 is, during a cyclic operation,initially and finally controlled by the friction clutch andintermediately controlled by the positive clutch I06 in a manner similarto that set forth in connection with aforementioned cam 82.

Cam 2 cooperates with a follower roller I22 (Figs. 5 and 8) carried atthe extremity of a lever I23 which is clamped tightly on shaft IOI. Inthis manner shaft IOI is constrained to rock in accordance with themovement of lever I23. At the right-hand extremity of shaft IOI, asviewed in Fig. 6, is secured a lever I24 which operates with a memberI25 (Figs. 2 and 6) which is also pivotally carried on the studs 49 andThe lever I24 is provided at its extremity with an adjusting screw I26which serves to provide an adjustable relation between lever I24 andmember I25. Also pivotally carried on lever I24 substantiallyintermediate the adjusting screw I26 and the shaft IOI is a feed punchcarrier I21 which is provided with a slotted hole I28 which engages thepivot stud I29 carried on the lever I24. The purpose of the slotted holeI28 is to permit the operation of carrier I21 and hence feed punch I32either with the cradle 48 and associated punches 52 or independently.The carrier I21 is provided at its upper extremity with a shoulderedportion which cooperates with a vertical projection I3I. integrallyformed on the cradle 48. As viewed in Figs. 2 and 6, the carrier I21 isalso notched to provide a seat for a feed punch I32. It is clearlyapparent from Fig. 2 that the feed punch is operable eitherindependently of or conjointly with the signalhole punches 52 in thefollowing manner. Upon reciprocation of strut I03 by means of the punchoperating lever 99 (the lever I24, at this time, remaining unoperated.due to the inaction of cam II2, Fig. 5), the cradle 48 will beoscillated about pivots 49 and 5|, thus likewise causing interferencemembers 46 to oscillate, about their common pivot 45 to actuate thepunches 52 in accordance with the relative positions oftheenlarged endsof the interference members 48. Simultaneously, punch carrier I21 willbe carried upwardly by the cooperation of projection I3I and theshoulder on carrier I21 to actuate feed punch I32, the purpose ofslotted hole I28- being to permit the actuation of carrier I21 by cradle48 independently of lever I24 during the normal reception of code signalimpulses. Thus, it is seen that the actuation of cradle 48 through theinstrumentality of the punch operating member 99 causes the actuation ofpunches 52 and feed punch I32 conjointly.

Provision is made for the independent operation of the feed hole punchI32 thus, when a rocking motion is imparted to shaft IIII by thecooperation of cam H2 and follower I22, as will presently appear, acorresponding rocking motion or oscillation will be imparted to leverI24 which, since it carries the feed punch carrier I21, will cause acorresponding reciprocal motion of carrier I21 independently of cradle48, which at this time remains at rest due to a cessation of receptionof code signal impulses, and the consequent inaction of cam 82. MemberI25, which is interposed between cradle 48 and lever I24, is controlledby either the cradle 48 or the lever I24 to effect the stepping oradvancement of the tape. Member I is provided with a vertical portionI33 at the upper end of which is pivotally carried a feed pawl I34 whichis normally urged into cooperative engagement with the ratchet portionof cylinder I35 by a spring I38 distended between the pawl member I34and member I25. Portion I33 of member I25 is provided with a projectionI31 which is adapted to cooperate with a vertical projection I38 oncradle 48 so that, when cradle 48 is oscillated about its pivots 49 and5I member I25 will be reciprocated correspondingly through thecooperation of projections I31 and I38 to effect the stepping of thetape I39 through the actuation of cylinder I35 by pawl I34 in a mannerwell known in the art, the cylinder I35 being provided also with acircumferential series of tape-feed pins I48 (Fig. 8). Also, when cradle48 remains at rest and lever I24 alone is oscillated, member I25 willrespond to the movement of lever I24 through its cooperation withadjusting screw I28 to effect, through pawl I34 and pins I48 of cylinderI35, the stepping of the tape I38.

The oscillation of cradle 48 also eil'ects, during each oscillationthereof, the actuation of locking bail 4I because, as cradle 48 is swungupwardly the member 42 is allowed to rotate about its pivot 43 by thepull of a spring I4 I. The proper timing of the motion imparted tomember 42 is governed by an adjustable member I43 pivotally carried onthe side wall of the cradle 48 (Figs. 1 and 2). As shown in Fig. 2, oneend of member I43 carries a roller I44 which coacts with the bentportion of a depending arm on member 42. The other end of lever I43 isprovided with an enlargedhole through which extends a clamping screw I45of considerably smaller diameter. In this manner lever I43 can berotated slightly in either direction about its pivot to determine byproper adjustment the timing of the engagement of bail M with levers 38.

Incidentally, the punches 52 and I32, which are spring returned, areoperatively carried in a punch block I48, as indicated in Fig. 2, andare adapted to be movable through a guide plate I41 and coact with dieplates I48 and I49 to perforate a tape. In the specific embodimentherein shown and described, the feed punch die plate I49 is indicated aslying in a plane elevated above that of die plate I48, the particularadvantages of this construction residing in the fact that the tape canthereby engage two or more feed pins I50 in the feed roller or cylinderI35, thus greatly reducing the liability of tearing the tape materialbetween feed holes. As shown in Fig. 1, the cylinder I35 carries on itsend a star wheel which cooperates with a spring actuated jockey ordetent lever I 80, the purpose of which, as is commonly known, is tomaintain the cylinder I35 in its successively stepped positions.

The left end of shaft 82 (as viewed in Figs. 5 and 8) is formed with apinion I5I which meshes with a gear I52 loosely carried on a stud shaftI53 mounted on the frame I3. Integrally formed with the gear I52 is asquare-threaded worm or screw I 54 which cooperates with a follower ortraveling member I55 to eflect, upon the cessation of reception of codesignals, the stepping out or spacing out of a predetermined length oftape, as will presently appear.

The cam projection 91 (Fig. 7) not only coacts with lever 92, but alsocooperates cyclically with a lever arm I58 fixed to a rock shaft I51(Figs. 5 and 8) suitably carried in brackets I58 and I59 aflixed to theframe I3. At the left extremity of the rock shaft I 51 (Figs. 5, 8 and9) there is clamped an adjustably positionable member I8I on which ispivotally carried at I82 the follower lever or traveling arm I55. Havingparticular reference to Fig. 9, it is seen that the arm I55 is normallyurged in a clockwise direction about pivot I 82 by a spring I 83. Themovement of arm I55 is limited by a slot I84 therein and a shoulderscrew I 85. Upon each cyclic operation of the selecting cam member 8|,the lever arm I58 is actuated against the action of its spring I88 (Fig.'7) to rock the shaft I51 slightly, thus raising the arm I55 out ofoperative engagement with the constantly rotating screw I54. In theevent that no signals are received; that is, upon a cessation ofreception of code signals, during which period the rotation of selectingcam member M is arrested, the arm I55 remains in cooperative engagementwith the screw I54, and hence will be caused to travel longitudinallywith respect to the axis of the screw until it either reaches the end ofthe series of screw threads thereon or is raised out of operativeengagement with the screw upon the initiation of rotation of theselecting cam member 8I upon resumption of code signal reception; thus,whenever the arm I55 has traveled any distance, however slight, alongthe screw I54 and is again raised out of operative enagement with thescrew, it is actuated in a clockwise direction by its spring I83 to thestarting position.

Pivotally articulated to the traveling arm I55 is the extremity of thevertical arm of a bell crank I81 pivotally supported at I88 to a bracketmounted on frame I3. Through this interconnection with traveling armI55, the bell crank I81 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwisedirection whenever the traveling arm is actuated leftwardly along thescrew I54. The extremity of the horizontal arm of the bell crank I81 isprovided with a longitudinally adjustable member I69 adapted to coactwith a member I1I adjustably carried on arm I 12 of a release lever I13mounted on a stud shaft I14 secured to frame I 3. counterclockwisedirection by a spring I15 against an eccentric adjusting screw I18.Member I1I is normally actuated in a clockwise direction by a spring I11against an eccentric adjusting screw Release lever I13 is normallybiased in a I18 carried on arm I12 of release lever I13. By

means of their respective adjustments, the timed engagement or bitebetween members I69 and "I can be accurately controlled.

Upon a cessation of code signals, the rock shaft I51 remaining quiescentdue to the arrested motion of cam member 6|, the follower I55 willthereupon travel along the screw I54 and in so doing, portion I69 ofhell crank I61 will, at a predetermined moment, engagemember I1I ofrelease lever I13. Upon the continued movement of driving arm I55, bellcrank I61 will be actuated counterclockwise, to rotate in turn releaselever I13 in a clockwise direction out of engagement with stop disc II4.Release lever I13 will remain out of positive engagement with the stopdisc I I4 upon the further continuance of the travel of the arm I55along the screw I54 until the bell crank I61 has been rotated asufficient amount so that the portion I69 has become disengaged from theportion I1I. As-has been noted, the period of engagement betweenportions I69 and HI has been predetermined by their respectiveadjustments, so that the stop disc I I4, and hence cam II2, have beenpermitted to rotate a predetermined number of times, the ultimate effectof which is to permit a series of oscillations of lever I23 to rockcorrespondingly shaft IIII to oscillate lever I24 in turn to actuate thefeed punch I32 and to oscillate member I25 to effect the feeding of thetape. In this manner the continued rotation of stop disc H4 and cam II2for a predetermined length of time will cause the feeding or spacing outof the tape a definite predetermined length or distance. I

When the portions I 69 and HI have become disengaged by the continuedtravel of arm I55 along screw I54, the release lever I13 will respond tothe tension of its spring I15 and will be rotated into arrestingengagement with stop disc II4, effecting simultaneously the arrest ofcam I I2 and the discontinuance of the spacing-out operation. Thefollower arm I55, however, will continue to travel along the screw I54until it has reached the end of the series of threads where it willremain until code signals are again received, at which time lever I56will again be actuated to rock the shaft I51 to raise in turn thefollower arm I55 out of coaction with the screw I54, whereupon thefollower arm I55 will be restored to its right-hand position by itsspring I63, and the cycle of operation described will be repeated.

General operation A further understanding of the structure constitutingthe present invention can, it is thought, be obtained from the followingdetailed description of its operation.

It will be assumed that the motor is running and that the various partsof the machine are stopped in their normal positions. In this conditionthe selector magnet II is normally energized due to the fact that thecurrent on the line is of marking nature. Since the start impulse of acode combination of signal impulses is of spacing nature, the receptionthereof preceding a signal code causes the deenergization of selectormagnet II, whereupon selector lever I5 is actuated by its spring I8 in aclockwise direction to effect, through plunger 11 and the latchmechanism shown in Fig. 4, the rotation of the selecting cam member 6 I.The cooperative effect of the member 6| which is rotated in synchronismwith incoming signals) and selector lever I5 (which is actuated ineither of two positions by the signalimpulses) will be to set the swords21 by means of levers 55 into either of their two positions according tothe nature of the signal impulses received, as previously described.Levers 38 will be set through T-levers' 33 to correspond with thesetting of swords 21, thereby establishing the positions of theinterference members 46 preparatory to perforating the signal code inthe tape. After the cam member 6I has rotated a predetermined angularamount, the cam projection 91 (Fig. 7) thereon cooperates with lever 92to effect the operation of clutch 81 to cause in turn the operation oflever 99 by cam 82, which operation functions through strut I03 andcradle 48 to actuate punches 52 and I32 simultaneously,

the latter being effective by reason of the cooperative relation betweencradle 48 and punch carrier I21 through projection I3I, therebyproducing in the tape a series of code signals in one position and afeed punch hole in another position, the feed hole in relation to itsassociated signal holes being thereby pre-punched. When, during theperforating operation the cradle 48 is oscillated, lock bail 4] isoperated in proper timed relation with the perforating operation tomaintain levers 38, and hence interference bars 46 in their selectedpositions. Such is the operation of the perforator during the normalreception of signal code combinations of impulses.

However, in the event that the reception of code signals ceases, thepresent invention contemplates the provision of mechanism responsive tothe cessation of code signals, the purpose of which is not only to spaceout a suflicient amount of tape to insure the complete transmission ofthe message recorded therein, but also to perforate such spaced-out tapewith only feed holes to produce what is commonly known in the artasblank tape, instead of, as heretofore, to repeat during the spacing-outoperation the last signal received and set up. The mechanism shown inFig. 5 is accordingly provided, which, as previously mentioned,comprises essentially a constantly rotating screw or worm and a followerarm coacting therewith, the coaction of which is controlled through therock shaft I51 by the lever I56. The lever I56 is actuated once duringeach cyclic operation of cam member 6| to lift lever I55 out ofcooperative engagement with screw I54 to permit its return by spring I63to the start position. But, when the reception of code signals ceases,the arm I55 remains in cooperative engagement with screw I54 and travelsalong the threads thereof to effect the rotation of bell crank I61, andthrough members I69 and HI, a counter-rotation in release arm I13,whereupon the clutches I66 and I I3 are rendered effective for rotationfor a predetermined length of time, depending upon the adjustedengagement or bite established between members I69 and HI. The ensuingcontinued rotation of cam II2, which is controlled by clutches H3 and I96, causes, through lever I23, shaft I III to rock continuously, thusoscillating arm I24 secured to the end thereof to operate through punchcarrier I21 the feed punch I32. Attention is directedto the slottedinterconnection between carrier I21 and lever I24, by means of which thepunch carrier I21 and hence the feed punch I32 may be operated eitherindependently of or conjointly with the signal punches 52. The conjointoperation of punches 52 and I32, as already set forth, is accomplishedthrough the instrumentality of the slotted hole I28, which permits theactuation of carrier'l21 by cradle 48 independently of lever I24 duringthe normal reception of code signal impulses, at which time the leverI24 remains at rest due to the inaction of cam II2. Now, when the cam H2is caused to operate continuously for a predetermined period upon thecessation of reception of code signal impulses, the lever I24 iscorrespondingly operated to actuate in turn carrier I21, the cradle 48at this time remaining unoperated due to the inaction of cam 82 which,as previously mentioned, is operated only during the normal reception ofcode signal impulses.

The oscillation of arm I24 also effects, through member I25 and pawlI34, the stepping of the tape. The amount of tape to be stepped orspaced out is determined by the distance between the pin block orsensing apparatus of the transmitter and the punch block of theperforator, and the amount of tape actually spaced out is accordinglyobtained by the adjustment established between members I69.and III. Aspreviously described, the lever I55 continues to travel along the screwI54 even after the member I69 has become disengaged from member I'll,until lever I 55 has reached the end of the screw, to insure thepositive operation of the spacing-out mechanism. The mechanism remainsin this condition; that is, with the follower I55 at the left end of thescrew I54, as viewed in Fig. 9, until the resumption of reception ofcode signals, whereupon lever I56 will again be actuated by camprojection 91 to raise or lift, through shaft I 51, arm I55 out ofengagement with screw I54, whereupon arm I55 will be returned to itsrightward position by its spring I63.

Although the present invention has been disclosed and described withreference to tape perforators, it is, of course, understood that theinvention is capable of embodiment in many and varied forms other thanthat specifically disclosed, without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tape perforator, a perforating mechanism including a pluralityof punches, a selecting device responsive to code signals forcontrolling the operation of said mechanism comprising selectableelements having no normal position, means for advancing a tape for eachoperation of said mechanism, and means effective independently of saidselecting device and without altering the setting of the selectableelements for perforating single perforations and causing the advancementof the tape upon a cessation of code signals.

2. Tape perforating apparatus comprising a feed member for advancing atape, feed-forming means for said tape, tape-marking means comprisingselector means therefor having no normal non-selecting condition, andmeans to render said feed-forming means operable either conjointly withor independently of said tapemarking means.

3. In a tape perforator, signal-hole perforating means comprisingselector means therefor having no normal non-selecting condition,feedhole perforating means, mechanism normally operative upon thereception of code combinations of signal impulses for operatingsimultaneously both said means, and mechanism operative solely upon thecessation of code signal reception to operate, irrespective of thecondition of said first recited means, said second recited meansindependently for a predetermined length of time.

4. In an apparatus for preparing a perforated record, permutationselector mechanism arranged to remain in its selected position,perforating mechanism, means controlled by said selector mechanism tooperate the perforating mechanism in accordance with the selectiveconditioning of the selector mechanism, and means effective upon acessation of the operation of the selector mechanism and withoutaltering its selected position for operating said perforating mechanismdiffez-ently.

5. In a signal-controlled apparatus, the combination of punches forperforating signals in a tape, a punch for perforating feed holes insaid tape, means operated by received signals for actuating saidpunches, and means constantly tending to function effective only upon acessation of code signals reception for controlling the perforation of apredetermined length of blank tape by the feed-hole punch withoutaffecting said first mentioned means.

6. In a signal-controlled tape perforator, a perforating devicecomprising a plurality of signal punches, and a feed punch adapted to beoperated either conjointly with or independently of said signal punches,means constantly tending to function to operate said feed punch solely,and means effective during signal reception to disaffect said meanswhereby said first recited means is adapted upon a cessation of codesignal reception to operate said feed-hole punch a predetermined numberof times.

7. In combination in a signal-controlled apparatus, a selectormechanism, signal controlling means including a first component and asecond component, auxiliary means, means controlled by said selectormechanism for rendering said components effective conjointly, and meanseffective upon the inactivity of said selector mechanism to render saidauxiliary means effective to operate said second component solely.

8. In a tape perforator, signal-hole perforating means, means having nonormal non-selecting condition for selectively controlling said means,feed-hole-perforating means, means to render said feed-hole-perforatingmeans operable without altering the selective condition of said secondrecited means either conjointly with or independently of saidsignal-hole perforating means, and tape-advancing means operable witheither of said perforating means.

9. In combination in a signal-controlled apparatus, a selector mechanismhaving no normal non-selecting condition, signal controlling meansincluding a first component and a second component, auxiliary means,means controlled by said selector mechanism for rendering saidcomponents effective conjointly, means effective upon the inactivity ofsaid selector mechanism to render said auxiliary means effective tooperate said second component solely without altering the condition ofsaid selector mechanism, and spacing mechanism operated by either ofsaid components.

10. In a tape perforator, signal-hole perforating means,feed-hole-perforating means, mechanism normally operative upon thereception of code combinations of signal impulses for operating both ofsaid means simultaneously, and means comprising a first element and asecond element adapted to be adjustably cooperative with each otheroperative solely upon'the cessation of code signal reception to operatesaid feed-hole-perforating means independently for a predeterminedlength of time.

11. In a tape perforator, permutation selector mechanism having nonormal non-selecting condition, perforating mechanism, means controlledby said selector mechanism to operate the perforating mechanism inaccordance with the selective conditioning of the selector mechanism,and means efiective upon a cessation of the operation of the selectormechanism and without altering the selective condition thereof foroperating said perforating mechanism differently.

12. In a signal-controlled apparatus, a selector mechanism having nonormal non-selecting condition, signal controlling means including afirst component and a second component, auxiliary means, meanscontrolled by said selector mechanism for rendering said componentseffective conjoint'ly, and means effective upon the inactivity of saidselector mechanism and without altering the selective condition thereofto render said auxiliary means effective to operate said secondcomponent solely.

13. In a tape perforator, means having no normal non-selecting conditionfor perforating code signal holes, means for perforating feed holes,means to render said feed-hole-perforating means operable withoutaltering the condition of said first recited means either conjointlywith or independently of said signal-hole perforating means.

14. In a signal-controlled apparatus, a selector mechanism, signalcontrolling means including a first component and a second component,auxiliary means, means controlled by said selector mechanism forrendering said components effective conjointly, means effective upon theinactivity of said selector mechanism to render said auxiliary meansefiective without altering the selective condition of said signalcontrolling means to operate said second component solely, and spacingmechanism operated by either of said components.

15. In a signal-controlled apparatus, a selector mechanism, a signalcontrolling means including a first member and a second member,auxiliary means, means controlled by said selector mechanism forrendering said members effective conjointly, and means comprising afirst element and a. second element adapted to be adjustably cooperativewith each other operative solely upon a cessation of code signalreception to operate said second member independently for apredetermined period.

EDWARD STANLEY LARSON.

